Sign language XP bump

[hannamarin]

Did anyone take a sign language course with -for their child
I went to an intro free class today, and I enjoyed it. Just not sure if it is the best use of my limited baby cash. Not that limited.

[Redpoppy]

You can pick up some useful signs looking online. We only used a few, and the daycare teacher actually initiated it.

[Ashley&Scott]

I've looked up a few signs online, I think that will be enough at least in the beginning. How much are the classes?

[hannamarin]

8classes (once a week) 45 min each. $160.
And remember I am a SAHMfor another 5.5mths.

[squishyface]

I did not do any sign language classes but we did have a video and some books. My dd is 2 and talks non stop but she will still sign a bunch of words.

[IrishBelle]

I wouldn't pay for the classes because there are other options. There are baby signing videos that you could check out at the library, you tube videos, this link has some basic ones
blogs.babble.com/babys-first-year-blog/2012/02/02/baby-sign-language/

I think you're in Ontario right? If so, check out an Early Years center near you. Often they will have sessions on baby signing that are free.

[lin99anne]

Check out your local library. I got the baby signing time at ours and it was great. There's also lots of books with basic signs. I would do a music class or a My Gym type class if you have limited funds.

[Deleted]

DD looooves Signing Time DVDs.

[hannamarin]

May 10, 2012 21:00:31 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

DD looooves Signing Time DVDs.

Do you think 6 mths is too young for dVD to be worthwhile? What age would you start?

I go to the early yrs centre, but so far, they only have free circle time...nothing else. Well, the ones I can walk or transit to.
I might try to find a music class of some kind. It sucks living downtown- all the better programs go to the suburbs.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I wouldn't waste your money. Signs are very easy to learn online and just do yourself.

DD was an early talker, so I didn't do them for long, but I just found a website that listed out some signs and used them. She learned them very easily. You don't have to do them exactly right, either -- as long as you're consistent, that's all that matters. For example, I wanted a sign for nurse, but I didn't like any of them. So I used the sign for milk, but I said "nurse" instead of "milk."

As far as classes with your baby, I can't recommend Music Together enough. The classes are wonderful and if you really immerse yourself in the class (ie, listen to the CD's with your child), your baby will learn so much. DD has been going for almost two years now, and she's learned so much from it. And the songs are good -- not typical annoying kiddie stuff.

[Deleted]

I've only used basic signs that I learned from other SAHMs. DS is a chatterbox now so I figure it won't be long before he starts talking.

ETA: The signs I use are bottle, more, eat, no. I've been signing to him since he was 4.5 months, but he only consistently uses bottle. I am happy with that, lol. Besides, when DS is done he just starts throwing stuff. I don't need the sign for no to understand that. Ha!

[bunch]

We do a few signs that I got from a book that I bought. H was all ready to teach her a million signs, but all I care to know is when she's hungry and such. I'm also convinced that I'll get a real word or two one day soon, but who really knows. I certainly wouldn't spend that much on a class. The big idea in my book is that you have to do the signs every single time, so I can't even see where the class would be very helpful in actually getting them to learn the signs.

[Deleted]

I took 1 class that was 2 hours that I think was $30. I learned so many signs. DH is still impressend that 5 years later I know so many of them.

Just having a few basic signs will make your life so much easier. More, Milk, Drink, Juice, No (we still use that one when we are in public).

[partiallysunny]

I wouldn't pay for a class. There are so many resources online for free that you can use. Just pick a few basic signs to work on and go from there.

[ilikedonuts]

May 10, 2012 21:09:17 GMT -5 @hannamarin said:

May 10, 2012 21:00:31 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

DD looooves Signing Time DVDs.

Do you think 6 mths is too young for dVD to be worthwhile? What age would you start?

I go to the early yrs centre, but so far, they only have free circle time...nothing else. Well, the ones I can walk or transit to.
I might try to find a music class of some kind. It sucks living downtown- all the better programs go to the suburbs.

My cousin has been showing the DVDs to her daughter since like 5 or 6 months. Her daughter knows one sign already at 8 months.

My DD was 6 months on the 29th of April) and we started watching the first one for like 15 minutes here or there 2 weeks ago. I also sign milk, eat/food to her when I feed her a bottle or solids.

I figure there is no harm in starting early. I don't leave her in front of the DVD for an hour or anything. But I'm also not someone that worries about their kid watching the occasional TV at a young age. I know some people don't like to do that.

ETA: We got the 4 pack of Baby Signing Time DVDs when they were on babysteals.com a couple of weeks ago

[madladybride]

I agree with the free classes/books or resources online. Our DD doesn't say many words yet, and she knows 1 sign (for more) that dcp taught her. I would like to teach her a few more because she gets frustrated easily. Right now she uses 'more' to signal that she wants to eat, drink, wants more or wants something else. I'm hoping that more signs will equal less frustration.

[hannamarin]

May 11, 2012 8:12:51 GMT -5 madladybride said:

I agree with the free classes/books or resources online. Our DD doesn't say many words yet, and she knows 1 sign (for more) that dcp taught her. I would like to teach her a few more because she gets frustrated easily. Right now she uses 'more' to signal that she wants to eat, drink, wants more or wants something else. I'm hoping that more signs will equal less frustration.

How old is she?

[h]

We just used the sign for a handful of words anytime we said those words to our kids from about 6 months on. We used a book to learn the signs. DS1 really took to it and signed probably 20 or so words before he really started talking, which was so helpful. DS2 didn't sign quite as much, but he did use a few signs. I don't think a class is really necessary unless you want them to be able to sign more than a few dozen words. I think that could be really helpful for a kid with speech delays, but I am not sure it is necessary for most kids.

[niki]

We sign a ton at home. It worked out very well because my son isn't a big talker, but is excited to sign to us. My mom is a sign language interpreter and we learned a lot of signs growing up.

[maple210]

With DD1 we just used signs at home that I learned by checking out library books (general sign language and specific to babies) and looking on-line. She ended up using 50+ signs and even making some up herself for things she found interesting (like trucks). I found the baby specific stuff useful for recommendations on beginning signs, but after that it was just as easy to look up what I knew would be useful to her/me. I never used the videos, so I can't comment on them. We started signing somewhat regularly around 6 months, but I don't think she did much signing back until closer to 12 months. We did the same with DD2. She is 11 months and only functionally uses 2 signs right now (all done and nurse). As others have mentioned, I would use my limited time and financial resources on a class that I didn't feel like I could replicate at home, like music or yoga or art or something.

[Deleted]

May 10, 2012 21:09:17 GMT -5 @hannamarin said:

May 10, 2012 21:00:31 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

DD looooves Signing Time DVDs.

Do you think 6 mths is too young for dVD to be worthwhile? What age would you start?

I go to the early yrs centre, but so far, they only have free circle time...nothing else. Well, the ones I can walk or transit to.
I might try to find a music class of some kind. It sucks living downtown- all the better programs go to the suburbs.

We started at 8 months, I believe. She didnt sign at first, she just liked the songs and watching the videos.

Around 1 she started to sign. Then she would sign and talk at the same time since thats how the videos teach them. The videos are meant for children who can hear.

[teacherjulie]

We did not use signs as a baby but did when she showed signs of a speech delay. Her therapist introduced 5-10 and I ha
Have since google several more to introduce like potty
Dinner and play.

[heythere]

I took one class (maybe 90 mins?) when DD was about 6 mths, but I think the most helpful for us was really the consistency at daycare and at home. We really only used please, thank you, more, milk, all done. Ditto the PP who said that you don't have to do them perfectly, so long as you are consistent. You can find decent resources on youtube.

[DazeyDee]

We just did a few with DD - more, please, milk, all done. She is very verbal, but will still sign please and all done, even though she speaks in full sentences. I found them helpful, but not helpful enough to spend $160 on classes!

Oh, and DD loves the Signing Time videos too - she loves the songs.